Australian Capital Territory to decriminalize small quantities of drugs

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is set to become the first Australian jurisdiction to decriminalize small amounts of drugs.

Under a bill that the government has just approved, individuals found in possession of amounts considered «personal use»—the exact quantities of which have yet to be defined—would be subject to fines rather than criminal prosecution.

This decision follows the recommendations of a Legislative Assembly investigation into this proposal, which was introduced last year. The government announced Thursday that it would support the bill but would make several amendments, including clarifying the size of the proposed «personal» doses to 2 grams for heroin and cocaine, or 0.5 grams for MDMA.

The ACT was also the first—and remains the only—state or Australian territory to legalize personal cannabis use.

Drug use is a «health issue,» not a criminal matter

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said that ACT was leading the way nationally by demonstrating that the decriminalization was a better way to protect the community's well-being.

She stated that the government continues to view illicit drugs as harmful and that it will strive to eliminate the supply of such drugs.

However, he acknowledged that «the harms associated with drug use are a health issue» and that treating drug use as a criminal matter does not help people with substance use disorders.

«It's harmful to the individual and doesn't contribute to community safety,» said declared Ms. Stephen-Smith.

«We know, based on research and evidence from around the world, that criminalizing drug users does not reduce drug use, and that treating substance use disorder as a health issue improves outcomes for everyone in the community.»

«This legislation is part of our policies developed in partnership with experts and people with lived experience to help those who need it most get the assistance and services they need when they need them.»